By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha
Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, at the Awka Township stadium, during the final soccer competition organized by the leadership of Anambra Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA, commended the President General, PG, Chief Humphrey Anuna, and other stakeholders for the successful organization of the tournament.
The governor who stressed the need for exercise, said that even if one’s exercise was just walking, that it helped to keep one healthy disclosing that it is also part of his resolve to keep the youths busy, stating that talented ones are being selected to be trained to represent the state and Nigeria by extension.
In expressing his satisfaction to the organization of the tournament which also included in-house games that included, draft playing, table tennis, ludo, among others, he added money to the money given to winners of the various competitions held at the stadium.
Earlier, the ASMATA President, Chief Anuna, commended the Governor for the opportunity given to the traders to organize such tournament to remind traders of the need for exercise hinting that the Governor has with his interest to keep a healthy body, shown that work without play makes jack a dull boy.
He also paid glowing tribute to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Market, Hon. Evarist Uba, describing him as an experienced leader whose appointment by the governor assisted in no small measure towards the peaceful atmosphere being experienced in all markets in the state.
” I am very happy for today and for our governor being here till the end of the match. Even the money we are saying that is too much, he even added more money to it because of the surprise he has for what traders did. The players are all picked for the varipus competitions from traders.
“The governor pledged to increase the amount that will be earmarked for next year’s tournament and we appreciate the governor for his rapid infrastructural development of the state. The governor has just rehabilitated over 400 kilometers of road within a shop period and urge the people to massively support him.
“Like I, I am suppose to play draft since I cannot run but next year all the traders may like to fix their names to do one thing or the other and we will add more things like walking. I thank all the journalists, mostly CY Ebele, for being in Awka to cover the event,” he stated.
In their various contributions, the chairmen of Sokoto and Haruna markets, in Onitsha, Hon. Emeka Mbachu and Hon. Emmanuel Idoko, respectively, expressed satisfaction with the various tournaments organized by the ASMATA PG for healthy body upkeep by traders.
They commended the Governor for providing the enabling environment that assisted for the success of the event and Hon. Evarist Uba, who according to the duo, used his experience to bring the traders together.
Highlight of the event was presentation of prizes and cash to winners of the tournament in which 82 markets in the state participated and Iron Dealers Association led by Hon. Evarist Ejezie, emerged the over all winner of the soccer competition and it went home with #3million and golden trophy.
Others were, Nkwo Umunze market traders that was the runner up and bagged a silver trophy and #2million while Ajasa market traders led by Hon. Chima Ohia, smiled home with a bronze trophy and #1million even as the fourth winner in the soccer competition was given #100,000 by the governor in appreciation for its effort.
In the in-house games winners also received prizes
